Armidale's baseball ground the best in the region

Their home ground at SportUNE is now arguably one of the best in the league thanks to a $14,300 grant from the state government to build the netting around the ground.

Outlaws co-owner and local member Adam Marshall announced the funding and said it is a credit to club founder Mick Alldis for getting the club up and running.

“I think part of the key to the success of their A grade team this season, being top of the table, they do have a magnificent facility it,” he said.

“It is really exciting for Armidale to have baseball back and I really commend Mick and the whole club on the professional way they have approached establishing the club, getting a lot of support from the community, sponsorship, owners, a wonderful facility and that has been carried onto the field with the success you are seeing on the paddock.”

The side sit on top of the ladder and Alldis said the club wouldn’t have been able to reach the heights it has without the support of the community and the 77 co-owners who jumped on board.

“It is difficult to establish any sporting club from grassroots up but to have the backing of Adam and the state government with giving us this money, it just takes the pressure off the players,” he said.

“Essentially, 50 per cent of the players are students so we don’t want to ask a lot of money as far as fees.

“It really goes a long way to establish us as a club here in Armidale and a club that is going to be around for a while and that is really important for us.

“People who haven’t played baseball for a lot of years have come out and started playing again.

“We have ladies involved, students, staff and community members.”

The A grade side are sitting on top of the ladder with their B grade sides also primed for a finals finish.

Marshall said it is great to see an Armidale club matching it with the likes of Tamworth.

“I love the fact we are beating Tamworth,” he said. 

The club hosts its next home round on August 13 against teams from Tamworth.